How Professionals Can Help Get Rid of Wet Carpet Smell After Water Damage

Are you struggling with a musty wet carpet smell? Call Steam Smart Pro at (520) 416-4308 and let Tucson’s #1 carpet cleaning company handle your problem!

Pets, natural disasters, water damage, young kids, and excess dampness or moisture in the home are all causes of wet carpet smell. When you notice a musty odor emanating from your bedroom or living room carpet, it’s more than a nuisance and a cause of discomfort. Aside from tickling your nose the wrong way, a persistent odor is a symptom of a much larger problem that you should deal with immediately.

While quick fixes can help alleviate pungent carpet smells, many home remedies are not long-term solutions and can even exacerbate the problem. That’s why when you notice a musty smell coming from one of your carpets, you should call the premier carpet cleaning services in Tucson from Steam Smart Pro. Our cleaning professionals have the experience and equipment to expel odors from your carpet for good.

Why Wet Carpet Smell Might Indicate a Safety Hazard

After thoroughly drying your carpet and applying every home remedy in the book, there still might be a musty smell. While this smell might seem like the worst part of a damp carpet, this is likely only the symptom of a much larger problem. A persistently smelly carpet typically indicates mold and fungus growth.

If a carpet stays wet for too long or home remedies increase its dampness, bacteria, organic matter, and fungal spores common in homes begin to accumulate. Left unchecked, mold and fungus could grow and ruin your carpet forever or, even worse, threaten your family’s health.

Because of the way fungal spores from mold travel in the air, they can exacerbate respiratory issues in adults and even cause them in young children.

The presence of spores in the air could also cause mold to grow in other wet places in your home, like bathrooms or kitchen towels. Therefore, if the smell you thought you handled is not going away, it’s time to call Steam Smart Pro to address the problem.

Common Causes of Wet Carpet Smell

There are a few leading causes of wet carpet smell that vary in severity and cleanability.

Pets

Unsurprisingly, one of the most common causes of wet carpet smell is the furry friend that runs around your home.

Pay attention to your rugs and carpets if you just brought home a new puppy or are still potty training your pet. They are the ideal spot for a dog or cat to pee or throw up. Pet urine and vomit can quickly lead to wet carpet smell and mold growth.

Natural Disasters

If you live in an area prone to flooding or that experiences significant hurricanes and storms, your home could be at risk of a wet carpet smell from these natural disasters. When flooding seeps under door cracks or natural disasters break windows, water damage can quickly ruin your carpets. Even after drying and cleaning them, it’s likely that your carpet could still smell.

Kids

We love our children, but they are sometimes liable to cause water damage in our homes. Especially after a fun summer day swimming and playing outside, damp kids laying on couches or carpets might cause a wet carpet smell. Luckily, you can teach your kids to stay away from areas prone to water damage if they are damp and avoid this issue altogether.

How Different Carpet Types Impact Smell

Different types of carpet material significantly impact water damage and odor retention potential. Below are the four main types of carpet materials and their ability to resist wet carpet smell.

Wool

While wool is one of the most beautiful materials for carpets, it’s highly prone to water damage and will likely retain smelly odors for a long time after drying. If your wool carpet gets wet, call a professional immediately so they can address the situation with industrial-grade equipment.

Nylon

Unlike wool, nylon is very durable and resistant to wear and tear. Although it’s not expressly water-resistant, it’s far easier to clean than wool carpets and other materials.

Olefin

Olefin rugs and carpets are ideal for areas exposed to water more often, like outdoors or in a mud room. This material is quite resistant to moisture and mold, making it an ideal option for any humid climate or damp space.

Polyester

Polyester is a more luxurious material and popular because it is available in many different colors and styles. Unfortunately, this material is more prone to water damage and mold growth, so a professional should clean it.

How To Alleviate the Scent - Quick Fix

When you notice water damage in your home, there are some ways you can immediately alleviate the odor before it gets too out of hand.

Homemade Cleaning Solution

Mixing warm water and vinegar makes a homemade cleaning solution to address the wet carpet smell. Be careful when using this solution, though, as you may accidentally cause more problems with mold or fungus if you allow your carpet to remain damp for too long.

Increase Air Circulation

Fresh air is one of the quickest and best ways to alleviate a nasty scent. Open windows and doors (if it’s not raining) and let air circulation carry some of the odor out of your home.

Apply Baking Soda

Believe it or not, applying baking soda directly to the affected area can significantly improve the smell and even eliminate it for a time. However, this solution won’t last forever, and you will likely need to employ more severe measures.

How To Eliminate Wet Carpet Smell Forever

If you want to eliminate the wet carpet smell forever, you’ll have to call a professional with the right tools and experience to address the problem for good. If you’re still not sure you want to invest in professional cleaning, learn whether professional cleaning is worth it. Then call Steam Smart Pro at (520) 416-4308, and let us do the rest.

Author Bio:

Eric Bullard

The owner of Steam Smart Pro in Tucson, AZ, brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in the field of carpet, tile, and air duct cleaning. With a strong dedication to quality and a deep understanding of effective cleaning techniques, Eric consistently delivers outstanding results to his satisfied residential and commercial clients.